This is mostly a vent, I went to Octapharma for my first donation. I got there at 8:30am.

Now I am not 100% blind but I use a white cane and have severe limitations on peripheral vision.

And the staff there was so friendly and helpful and recognized that I needed just a little extra help to figure out where to go. I cannot stress enough how helpful and nice they were.

I had my eye lenses removed as a baby. So because of the surgery and having no lenses my pupils dont dilate.

For whatever reason, everything was taking forever. I went through the orientation, the video, the kiosk, the questionnaire, the vitals testing (and I was SO glad my iron was perfect because it tends to run low!)

Finally the nurse does the physical exam. Everythings fine, but she needs to call the doctor because my pupils aren’t dilating or affected by the pen light (you know, because I’m blind)

The doctor comes back with I have to get paperwork from my doctor to say its OK to donate.

Because of my pupils? I’ve donated off and on at different plasma centers and never had this issue even come up!

Now, mind you this was told to me at 12:25pm. I had been patiently waiting through all these delays for four hours. I was told this wasn’t a deferment, that I could go to a different company while I got this paperwork filled out.

But honestly I was so upset, I thanked them for being kind and helpful and then I went outside and cried while I waited for my husband to drive to pick me up. I felt like I wasted my entire morning and I needed the funds for an emergency. It’s not their fault, they have rules etc. i’m just baffled and upset that of all things my eyes stopped me from donating. :(

I’ll try CSL tomorrow and then go get my paperwork done but it was just such a bad experience. Four hours! For nothing :(

Thanks for letting me vent.